Gateron Jupiter Red vs. Gateron Oil King (V2)
An in-depth look at the Gateron Jupiter Red and the Gateron Oil King (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Jupiter Red and Gateron Oil King are both linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer a smooth typing experience. The Jupiter Red provides a medium-heavy actuation with a single-stage spring, ensuring a consistent and seamless keystroke. On the other hand, the Oil King stands out for its buttery smoothness and low-pitched sound profile, making it a favorite choice among users. While the Jupiter Red is described as 'Polished', 'Creamy', 'Silky', 'Mild', and 'Neutral', the Oil King is categorized as 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Silky', 'Bassy', 'Buttery', and 'Polished'. Each switch has its unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Spring steel
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The Gateron Jupiter Red and the Gateron Oil King differ in their housing materials, with the Jupiter Red featuring a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, while the Oil King has a nylon top housing and a proprietary INK blend bottom housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Jupiter Red creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the Oil King produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound due to its softer nature. In terms of bottom housings, both switches utilize nylon, resulting in a similar deep and full sound profile when typing.
While the top housing materials of the Gateron Jupiter Red and the Gateron Oil King differ in terms of sound profile, the bottom housings share the same nylon material, providing a consistent deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on both switches. The proprietary INK blend bottom housing of the Oil King creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, described as clacky, adding a unique touch to the overall typing experience. Conversely, the nylon bottom housing of the Jupiter Red contributes to a duller and rounder sound, absorbing more sound than harder plastics. Despite their differences in sound characteristics, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with their top and bottom housing materials.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Jupiter Red and the Gateron Oil King ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile. The polycarbonate top housing of the Jupiter Red provides a sharper and crisper sound, while the nylon top housing of the Oil King offers a deeper and fuller sound. Additionally, the proprietary INK blend bottom housing of the Oil King adds a unique clacky sound to the typing experience. However, both switches share a similar deep and full sound profile due to their nylon bottom housings, ensuring a consistent typing experience across the board.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch, we can see that the Jupiter Red has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Oil King's 55 grams. However, the Jupiter Red also has a lighter bottom out force of 60 grams, whereas the Oil King has a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams. Both switches fall into the medium category in terms of actuation force, but the Oil King leans towards the heavier side when it comes to bottom out force. Depending on personal preference, some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Jupiter Red for longer typing sessions, while others may opt for the heavier bottom out force of the Oil King for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and the desired feel during use.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch have the same travel distance of 4mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. This similarity ensures that users will get consistent results in terms of the feel and responsiveness of the switches. While the travel distance is equal for both switches, it is worth noting that the Gateron Oil King linear switch boasts a smoother and more refined typing experience compared to the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch. Both switches offer reliable performance and a comfortable typing experience, making them popular choices among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gateron Jupiter Red comes in at $2.80, whereas the Gateron Oil King (V2) comes in at $6.50.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch offers a neutral profile that is suitable for various typing environments, whether they be at home or in an office setting. On the other hand, the Gateron Oil King linear switch provides a low-pitched and bassy sound that adds a rich depth to each keystroke. Both switches will deliver satisfying auditory feedback, with the Oil King leaning towards a more mellow and chocolatey sound compared to the Jupiter Red's more versatile tone.
Moving on to feel, both the Jupiter Red and the Oil King switches offer a smooth and polished typing experience. They are described as creamy and silky, providing a buttery sensation when typing and effortless key travel. The Jupiter Red switch also has a mild feel, making it approachable to most users with its safe middle-ground characteristics. Overall, both switches excel in delivering a refined and comfortable typing experience, ensuring that users can enjoy extended typing sessions without fatigue.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch offer impressive qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Jupiter Red provides a consistent and medium-heavy actuation force with a neutral sound profile, the Oil King stands out with its low-pitched and bassy sound and creamy, silky feel. Depending on whether you prioritize a versatile sound profile or a luxurious typing experience, either of these switches will provide a satisfying and top-tier mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when deciding between the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch, it really comes down to your personal preferences. If you value a medium actuation force and a smooth, consistent typing experience with softer backlight effects, the Jupiter Red may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier actuation force and a sound profile that is low-pitched, bassy, and reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping, the Oil King could be the perfect fit for your typing style. Both switches offer a range of descriptors such as polished, creamy, and silky, providing a luxurious typing experience. Consider your typing habits, sound preferences, and desired typing feel when making your decision between these two exceptional Gateron switches.
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